OSU Still in the Mix for Former OL Commit Kelvin Banks Jr.

Oklahoma State lost the verbal commitment of Kelvin Banks Jr., a four-star Class of 2022 prospect, last summer. But the Cowboys aren’t down and out yet.

Banks named his newest top list of schools on Sunday and included the Pokes — along with 13 other schools — in the mix, adding that his recruitment is “still 100% open.” Alabama, LSU and Texas were among the schools who also made the list.

A 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle, Banks is rated by 247Sports as a top-40 national prospect in the composite rankings and the No. 4 player at his position in the country. Here’s what Gabe Brooks, one of 247Sports’ scouts, said of his potential after scouting him in person:

Virtually college-ready size with a bit more added bulk. Good height and length and wears his mass well. Plays left tackle and right tackle for high school team and could project to the outside or slide inside in college. Shows impressive strength at the point of attack. Punchy with some hand suddenness in the phone booth. Pulls very well and crunches targets as a down blocker. Adequate pad level at the LOS but plays a bit high at the second level. Foot quickness can improve. Big, long obstacle in pass pro who forces rushers wide around the arc, but can play with better agility. Occasionally heavy-footed, especially in pass pro. Among the top offensive line prospects in Texas and the country for the 2022 class. Projects to high-major level with long-term early-round NFL Draft potential.

OSU’s 2022 recruiting class consists of two commitments — from four-star prospect CJ Brown and from three-star prospect Gabe Brown — so adding a big prospect in Banks back into the fold would be huge. (De’Kelvion Beamon, once classified in 2022, reclassified to 2021 and is expected to be a freshman at OSU this season.)

OSU has reason for optimism along the offensive line after adding Caleb Etienne, Danny Godlevske, Logan Nobles and Silas Barr in its last recruiting cycle. And while the unit is losing Ry Schneider, it returns Josh Sills and has a nice young core that includes Jake Springfield, Preston Wilson, Hunter Woodard, Cole Birmingham, Tyrese Williams, Cade Bennett and Eli Russ.